Manchester Wire can exclusively reveal details of Takk, a new Icelandic-inspired coffee house, which has just opened in the Northern Quarter. Located at 6 Tarriff Street, next to another new venture, Kosmonaut, Takk offers hand-roasted coffee, drip coffee from Iceland and daily sandwich options, plus award-winning brownies and Manchester tarts. The venture sees assistant manager Jenny Oakenfull (previously at Nexus Art Cafe) and head barista Jemma O’Brien (from Folk, West Didsbury) partner up with owner Philip Hannaway for the venue. ‘We wanted to create something that felt Icelandic – a space that feels warm and welcoming; cosy and comfortable,’ Hannaway explains. ‘It’s not a themed coffee bar, but we wanted to capture the spirit of a downtown Reykjavik hang out.’ Takk also offers free wifi, a cosy library area, complete with dog-eared guidebooks and National Geographics, and a creative space – which for the launch period features a collection of photographs of Iceland, taken between 1956 and 1978, by photographer Mats Lund. Plans are also afoot to host intimate gigs, a city centre chess club and Saturday coding workshops, open to all. The coffee menu includes roasts and guest brews, and there is a selection of loose-leaf teas and cold drinks as well as some frankly bizarre Icelandic confectionery (chocolate covered liquorice anyone?).

Takk Coffee House, 6 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, M1 2FF, 8.30pm – 5pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm Sat, closed Sun, @takkmcr

Words:
Chris Horkan
Published on:
Mon 21 Jan 2013